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Local News for Thursday 15th December 2016

Send ‘pushy’ salesmen packingCNES Trading Standards, Police Scotland and Tighean Innse Gall are advising householders to shut the door on doorstep salesmen described as ‘pushy’ in reports to their departments. Numerous people have complained over the last fortnight that door-to-door sellers claiming to work for the government have called uninvited. Trading Standards advise householders to think carefully before entering into any agreement to receive a "free" boiler replacement. One boiler recently installed by a company called Union Technical Services has not been fitted according to the manufacturer's instructions and poses a safety issue. A Trading Standards spokesperson warned: "Just because the boiler is free does not mean it comes without risk to you. If the installation is substandard you may have to pay to get this made safe.Incorrect fitting may invalidate both the manufacturer's warranty and your home insurance in regard to your heating system." To report unwanted doorstep sales contact Trading Standards on 01851 822694 , out of hours on Faire the community careline on 701702 or Police Scotland on 101. Please dial 999 in an emergency.

Vital upgrades to electrical networkOver £3 million is being invested this year by Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks across the Western Isles. This week MSP Alasdair Allan's visited the Stornoway SSEN depot and was updated on works including improvements to 65km of overhead lines on the Isle of Barra, 350 low voltage poles on Lewis and Harris and a rebuild of the overhead network at Clachan, North Uist, making poles and switchgear more resilient to lightning strikes and high winds. Upgrades started between April and August and should be fully completed by March 2017. As a result fewer customers should experience power cuts. Simon Horne, Western Isles Depot Manager at SSEN, said: "We know how important a reliable and safe electricity supply is to our local communities. This series of extensive works will help to deliver that for years to come”.

New chair for CnaGComunn na Gàidhlig (CnaG) has appointed the former head of social services at Comhairle nan Eilean Siar as their new chairman. Iain Macaulay stays in Back, but is originally from North Uist. He retired earlier this year from Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and takes over from Coinneach `Mòr’ Maciver, who has been CnaG Chairman since 2012. Coinneach “Mòr” MacIòmhair said, “I have been a member of the CnaG, board of directors for nine years, the past four as Chairman. I have enjoyed my time there immensely. CnaG’s role, of creating and providing services to young people in communities across Scotland is both interesting and important, and over the years, we get very positive feedback from both young people and parents as to how CnaG’s work has helped them learn Gaelic, improve fluency and most important of all, has given them the confidence to use the language with their peers.” Incoming chair Iain Macaulay said, “I am very much looking forward to working with CnaG and all the key stakeholders in supporting Gaelic and make a positive contribution to the current work being undertaken in revitalising the language and increasing both the numbers using the language and also the levels of usage on a day to day basis”.